Get Up, Stand Up, Stand Up For Your Right... And Write and Write
Transcription
Get Up, Stand Up, Stand Up For Your Right... And Write and Write
THE GLUE Official Publication of the Kenosha Education Association Teachers Substitute Teachers Education Support Professionals Noon Hour Supervisors Get Up, Stand Up, Stand Up For Your Right... And Write and Write and Write! By Scott Farnsworth, GLUE Editor At the risk of sounding like a broken and Samantha Kerkman had both expressed majorities. With our “friends” in control, why hesitations over Walker’s proposed cuts to se- weren’t the revenue caps that had been slowly nior services, and this concern has been echoed record (no pun intended!), it is “budget battle” whittling away at public education program- in other corners of the state. In other words, season and there is nothing more important ming and facilities overturned? Because we cracks in the united front of the state Repub- than you taking some time to write your state had not rallied the public to the issue; we had lican legislators have begun to appear and we legislators in opposition to the disastrous not raised their level of awareness and, hence, need to keep up the pressure. concern to a point that our “friends” could cuts to education and other social services I am also repeating this message because in Governor Walker’s proposed state budget. it is far too easy – and wrong – for those of Additionally, there is an opportunity to “take us in this last bastion of Democratic strength to the streets,” literally “get up, stand up,” this to assume that Peter Barca, Tod Ohnstad and Saturday in Milwaukee and join in solidarity Bob Wirch do not need to be lobbied, that their with hundreds (let’s hope thousands!) of other votes are assured. As solid of friends to public educators and concerned citizens to show sup- employees and institutions as these three legis- port for full funding of public education – with lators may be, no vote should ever be taken for an emphasis on the importance of time to actu- granted. These gentlemen need to know that ally teach your students, rather than merely test their positions on these issues are staunchly them ad infinitum! supported by their constituencies. They need I am repeating this message not only point to the caps as an issue needing to be addressed. Instead, we simply assumed we could to have the armor the outpouring of correspon- count on their vote. It was a naïve belief – to assume a politician would commit political suicide on our behalf. In the early pages of Saul Alinsky’s Rules for Radicals, he references an incident where a reform group went to President Franklin Roosevelt with a concern they wished him to address. At the end of their presentation, he said to them, “Okay, you’ve convinced me. Now, go on out and bring pressure on me!” because another round of education funding dence in opposition to the Governor’s budget cuts threaten programs here in Kenosha – and will provide when approached by those who entire rural districts across the state – but also support cuts at any cost. They need the ammu- controversial to be ignored – well, as this week because, for the first time in quite a while, this nition the overwhelming numbers of commu- has begun to show, it does not matter whether week produced evidence that our efforts are nications provide when they take to the floor of your “friends” are in power or not. As history actually having an impact in Madison. Last the Senate and Assembly to fight for the needs has shown, in fact, minus that pressure, it also Sunday saw news articles stating that Senate of our students and elderly. To assume their doesn’t matter who is in charge! Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald was in favor votes is to show a total misconception of how of restoring the cuts Walker had proposed for politics works. public education. That news was followed later When we can make an issue too important or So, let friends and enemies alike know your views – come to the rally Saturday – Again, history proves a ready guide: It was because there is nothing more critical to the in the week with news that over a dozen policy not long ago that the Democrats controlled all long-term best interest of our community, state items that Walker had peppered throughout the the legislative power, just as the Republicans and nation than a quality, public education for budget were also going to be pulled. Earlier, do now. When Jim Doyle was in his first term, there were news articles that Van Wanggaard our students. the Senate and Assembly had Democratic Vol. 43, Issue 30 kea.weac.org www.nea.org “Get up, stand up, don’t give up the fight.” www.weac.org April 17, 2015 Kenosha School Funding Forum Tuesday, May 5, 2015 6:30 - 8:30 pm UAW Local 72 Hall 3615 Washington Road, Kenosha Join Wisconsin Department of Instruction’s (DPI) Communication Officer Thomas McCarthy and local State Representative Peter Barca and Senator Robert Wirch as they address the funding crisis for Wisconsin public education and what it means for Kenosha schools. Will invite parents, community leaders and organizations to attend! The DPI presentation will focus on public school funding: We can’t do anything about the formula, but perhaps we can unravel the funding piece. The presentation will point out the most obvious flaws in the funding formula and policy that provides a path forward for keeping the top tier public education system thriving. And most importantly... What you need to do about it. RALLY FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS Saturday, April 18th....4:00 p.m...310 West Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee IT’S WORKING! This week, Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald came out against the cuts to public education in Governor Walker’s budget proposal – but we must keep up the pressure! Join hundreds of Wisconsin students, parents, community members and educators in a rally to call for TIME TO TEACH INSTEAD OF TEST and THE RESOURCES STUDENTS NEED. Find out more at www.weac.org. BE THERE!!! Can’t make it? Click on the blue button on the kea.weac.org home page to email your state legislators to oppose the cuts – then call 10 family and friends and ask them to do the same! The Glue Page 2 April 17, 2015 ANNOUNCEMENTS Calendar of Events WEAC-RA Fri., April 17 - Sun., April 19 Representative Barca listening sessions have been added to the hearing list: Rally for Public School Sat., April 18 (310 West Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee) April 17 - Elmwood Park 1 - 2:30 p.m. Elmwood Park Village Hall 3131 Taylor Ave, Elmwood Park Administrative Professionals Day/ Earth Day Wed., April 22 April 20 - Kenosha 10 - 11:30 a.m. Somers Town Hall 7511 12th Street, Kenosha Regular School Board Meeting Mon., April 27 (5:30 p.m., ESC Board Room) Kenosha School Funding Forum Tues., May 5 (6:30 p.m., UAW Local 72 Hall) KUSD Standing Committee Meetings Tues., May 12 (5:30 p.m., ESC Board Room) KEA Board Meeting Thurs., May 14 (4:30 p.m., KEA Office) Association Representative Assembly Meeting Thurs., May 28 (4:30 p.m., KEA Office) April 20 - Kenosha Rep. Barca listening session (Hearing on UW System Budget) 3 - 4:30 p.m. UW–Parkside Student Center 900 Wood Rd, Kenosha April 27 - Kenosha Rep. Barca listening session (Hearing on Long-Term Care) 2 - 3:30 p.m. Kenosha Human Services 8600 Sheridan Rd, Entrance D, Room S 11, Kenosha Congregations United to Serve Humanity (CUSH) Annual Celebration Banquet Guest Speaker - John Nichols Washing Correspondent, Journalist and Author KEA OFFICE HOURS For questions or concerns, please call the KEA office at 262-654-2127 x10. Mon.-Thurs., 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Fri., 8 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. The Glue Thursday, May 7, 2015 Madrigrano Marina Shores 302 58th Street, Kenosha 5:30 pm Social & Silent Auction 6:15 pm Dinner & Program For tickets and more information, please visit www.cushkenosha.com or by calling 262.564.8223 Page 3 April 17, 2015 Find out why Take a 1 out of 2 people CLOSER switch to Member Benefits look at your insurance coverage. after having a consultant review their insurance coverage. Have our personal insurance consultants review your current insurance coverage. Have an insurance consultation by May 31 and you’ll be entered in a drawing for an iPad mini.* Poorly written policies happen more than you’d think. An insurance consultation is a FREE service to Wisconsin public school employees. You could WIN an iPad mini! Our personal insurance consultants can review your current insurance coverage to help you: • Become a better consumer of insurance. • Avoid paying too much. • Fix common coverage errors that could leave you at risk. PROMO CODE: SPRING REVIEW Schedule a personal phone consultation: Call 1-800-279-4010 This is for informational purposes only and not intended to be legal or tax advice. Consult your tax advisor or attorney before taking any action. Property and casualty insurance programs are underwritten by WEA Property & Casualty Insurance Company. The terms and conditions of your coverage are exclusively controlled by your written policy. Please refer to your policy for details. Certain policy exclusions and limitations may apply. *Rules and eligibility for iPad mini drawing at weabenefits.com/spring2015drawing. weabenefits.com/consults May P&C Promo FS 4253-240-0415 The GLUE is published weekly (except during Thanksgiving, winter, spring and summer recesses) by the Kenosha Education Association (KEA), 5610-55th St., Kenosha, WI 53144; Ph. 262-654-2127; email [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]. GLUE submissions must be received in the KEA office by Monday, 5:00 p.m., the week of publication. All submissions are subject to editing policies established by the KEA. Ads now appear on the KEA web page;submit your ad by visiting kea.weac.org. Interim Executive Director: Steve Urso * President: Anne Knapp * Vice-President: Margaret Jeske * Treasurer: Rebecca Velvikis * Staff: Scott Farnsworth (Editor), Kathy Lusiak (Webmaster), Jan Studey (Staff Assistant), Kendra Koeppen (Communications Specialist) The Glue Page 4 April 17, 2015